Abdurrahman and Aquino compare notes on democracy
Abdurrahman and Aquino compare notes on democracy
MANILA (JP): Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid and former
Philippine president Corazon Aquino met here on Monday to compare
notes on the transition to democracy in their respective
countries.
After the meeting Aquino said she found the new Indonesian
leader an "endearing and lively" character.
The two came to power in their respective countries amid
similar climates and both leaders faced much the same problems
immediately after assuming office.
Aquino became president of the Philippines in 1986 after a
popular revolt toppled then president Ferdinand Marcos.
Abdurrahman's election came on the heels of the 18-month
transitional administration of B.J. Habibie, who assumed office
after Soeharto was forced to step down after a 32-year reign.
Abdurrahman met the former Philippine leader on Monday morning
before returning to Jakarta after Sunday's summit of East Asian
leaders.
Aquino said she and Abdurrahman agreed that "for everybody,
the transition (to democracy) is very difficult".
One issue which both faced after their ascendancy to the
presidency was the question of the alleged wealth illegally
accumulated by their predecessors.
Aquino said Abdurrahman told her that "Soeharto must be
repentant and that he should return the wealth".
"What he was saying was that, along with the repentance, of
course, the money should be returned to Indonesia. I think it
hinges on that," Aquino was quoted by AFP as saying.
Abdurrahman did not provide details of the meeting, only
saying that he was proud to meet Aquino.
"I told her that we in Indonesia admired her struggle to
uphold democracy, together with Cardinal Sin," Abdurrahman told
journalists during the flight to Jakarta.
"I invited her to come to Indonesia to meet her many
admirers," he said, adding that Filipino names like Macapagal and
Ninoy Aquino were respected names praised by Indonesians.
Apart from being tasked with recovering the alleged wealth of
their predecessors, Abdurrahman and Aquino also faced domestic
strife, albeit in differing degrees.
Abdurrahman faces a growing secessionist threat while Aquino
was confronted by attempted takeovers from within her own
government.
Aquino also told Abdurrahman of the coup attempts that
rightist military rebels mounted against her when she first
assumed the presidency, as well as problems in her Cabinet which
forced her to dismiss a number of ministers.
However, she said Abdurrahman seemed satisfied with the people
in his Cabinet.
"He is pleased that (Vice President) Megawati Soekarnoputri is
working with the government." (prb/mds)